Press Release

Congressman Dave Loebsack today called on U.S. Trade Representative, Ambassador Robert Lighthizer, to support the tens of thousands of Iowans who rely on a healthy trading relationship with Canada by exempting Canada from the tariffs that began on June 1st. In retaliation, Canada has indicated that it would levy tariffs worth $12.8 billion on goods including Iowa produced agricultural and manufactured products. Canada is Iowa’s largest trading partner and in 2017 alone, Iowa sent over $4 billion worth of products to Canada, which accounts for over 30% of Iowa’s international trade, and $1.4 billion of that trade with Canada comes from Iowa’s agricultural products. In his letter, Loebsack encouraged Ambassador Lighthizer to recommend a permanent exemption from this tariff action for Canada. A copy of the letter can be found here.

“Iowa’s longstanding trading partnership with Canada has led to the creation and support of hundreds of thousands of jobs across the state. These tit for tat trade actions between the U.S. and Canada put Iowans at risk and could have massive economic impacts in my home state,” Loebsack wrote to Ambassador Lighthizer. “The uncertainty that these trade actions create in the economy is enormously problematic for Iowa’s economy. That is why I encourage you to recommend a permanent exemption from this tariff action for Canada, and I encourage this administration toward a stronger trading partnership with Canada that benefits Iowa workers.”

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